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Burma releases 14,000 prisoners and commutes thousands more sentences. But critics say the amnesty is a token gesture aimed at improving the country's international image... as very few political prisoners were released.

Burma's new regime began freeing about 14,000 prisoners and commuting thousands more sentences on Tuesday... in an amnesty critics dismissed as a token aimed at improving its international image.

Activists say the vast majority of those released from prisons across the country were common criminals... very few were political prisoners.

The large number of political detentions has been central to the imposition of economic sanctions on Burma's rulers since a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 1988.

Their release has long been a key demand by the West.

The amnesty came just days after UN Special Envoy Vijay Nambiar visited Burma, urging the release of all political prisoners.

All death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment and many terms were reduced by one year.

[Ma May Aye, Released Prisoner]:
"In fact, my prison term officially expires on May 20. Anyway, I am very pleased to be freed today. I will get back home a few days earlier."

Legal expert U Aung Thein echoed the critics.

[U Aung Thein, Legal Expert and Activist]:
"I can't call it a general amnesty. It will just benefit only criminal prisoners who have almost finished their terms."

The U.S. Campaign for Burma says the failure to release political detainees shows the regime is not about to introduce democratic reforms.

Burma insists there are no political prisoners in its jails and is trying to attract foreign investment.

Official figures state Burma has some 60,000 prisoners held in 42 prisons and 109 labor camps.